Ollie Locke hosts ‘Bollinger Boys’ lunches with Made In Chelsea cast to support men’s mental health
Ollie Locke has revealed he meets up with his male friends from Made In Chelsea for lunch every two weeks and the boys talk openly about what is going on in their lives, both good and bad.
Ollie Locke meets up with his Made in Chelsea co-stars for a "Bollinger Boys lunch” - where the guys check in on each other's mental health.
The 38-year-old reality star and his friends get-together every two weeks and the meet-up has become an important ritual for the group as they grow older and navigate the pressures of fame, family and adulthood.
Ollie says the lunches serve as a relaxed, no-judgement catch-up during which they can discuss life, love and personal struggles, washed down with a bottle or two of champagne.
In an exclusive interview with BANG Showbiz, Ollie said: “Me and a couple members of the Made in Chelsea cast have a lunch every two weeks.
"We have a Bollinger boys lunch. We sit there, have a lovely time and talk about life. If anything is wrong we talk about it and that’s something that I love and I’d love to push forward for other people to do that and It’s something special for me.”
Ollie explained that the brunches are deliberately kept to just the boys, giving everyone freedom to speak honestly without embarrassment.
He added: “Basically, you can sit there, have your time with your lads, discussing what we think about politics, what we think about the food in the restaurant down the road, is everyone alright, are you happy, are you happy in your relationship, stuff which we wouldn’t necessarily say to our wives, girlfriends and husbands. We talk openly.
“I remember one of my friends turned around and said ‘I’m actually really miserable at the moment, I don’t know what to do,’ and I said, 'Well let’s talk about it.' It’s a very informal chat, but it’s important for us to all talk about it. It’s therapy without calling it therapy.”
As an advocate for mental health, Ollie has long spoken about the importance of male vulnerability and said breaking the stigma is essential.
Ollie - who has twins Apollo Magnus Obi and Cosima Emily Bex with his husband Gareth Locke - said: "Obviously we know that the biggest killer under 40s for men is suicide, it’s something that we are very much aware of, something that I want to make sure we talk about.
"On the show I always say what I feel is right, I’m happy to go on camera and talk about it, you’d be surprised how many people come up to me and message me and saying, 'Thank you for what you did today.'
"I think times are changing but men cry too and I think that’s something that’s a big thing.
"Apparently in America it’s terribly sexy for a man to cry, but in Britain we are so stiff upper lip. We haven’t quite got it. But I think were realising now. In America the more sensitive you are as a guy, the sexier you are, they see that as a real aphrodisiac.
"Being your Authentic self is important but also you need a group of friends that aren’t judgemental and won’t sit there and laugh at you.”
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